Slidable current collector and method for contacting conductor rail

An electric current collector for sliding in a direction along a power rail, comprising:

• a frame having a substrate with a top surface and an underside;
• a busbar positioned on the top surface;
• and
• a first terminal and a second terminal aligned in a column along the direction and mounted between the top surface and the underside, the busbar electrically connecting the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal respectively comprises:
• a carbon brush, a piston, a reservoir, and a conductive fluid within the reservoir, the carbon brush being aligned and electrically connected with the piston along a central axis, the conductive fluid radially surrounding and contacting at least a portion of the piston along the central axis;
• an upper section comprising a post, the post being hollow and defining at least an upper chamber configured to loosely receive the piston along the central axis;
• and
• a fluid suspension comprising an insulative fluid within a pliable bladder, the fluid suspension connecting the reservoir with the post and enabling movement of the carbon brush along the central axis.

A method, comprising:

• touching an electrical contact of a slidable terminal on a rail surface;
• clamping the slidable terminal to the rail surface using, at least in part, an attractive force between a magnet surrounding a body of the slidable terminal and the rail surface;
• and
• applying a downward force along a central axis between the electrical contact and the rail surface, the applying comprising:
• directing a fluid through an upper section of the slidable terminal and into a region confined by an airbag, the airbag coupling the upper section and a lower section of the slidable terminal and being positioned radially around the central axis, and
• adjusting pressure for the fluid to a first pressure level within the region;
• and sliding the electrical contact across the rail surface.